Describes an activity designed to introduce a group of students (or adults) to a book and encourage them to share their perceptions of it in a short time. Describes six books which might work well for this exercise at the middle school/junior high level. (RS)

This lesson plan presents activities designed to help students understand that Keiko, the killer whale, lived for a long time in an aquarium and had to be taught to live independently; and that computer users can get updates on how Keiko is doing. The main activity of the lesson involves middle school students working in small groups to produce a…

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy involving students in small group learning activities that promote positive interaction. Cooperative learning is one of the most thoroughly researched strategies available to educators. Studies have consistently found that cooperative learning promotes increased academic achievement and can be…

Discusses the benefits of collaborative writing in a writing workshop and the value of a social cognitive approach to learning for middle school students. Examines a taped collaborative writing workshop to demonstrate themes of using exploratory talk to stimulate thinking, promoting conceptual understanding, internalizing language to gain…

Discusses the rationale for Academy of Inquiry and Talent Development enrichment projects in middle schools and provides examples of the activities pursued in these projects. Considers the authentic-learning and real-life problem-solving objectives of the projects, their organization, and the three types of enrichment: general exploratory, group…

This publication shares ideas, exemplary programs, resources, and schools involved in the 1993-1994 EARTH FOREVER program sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education. Educators and students are challenged to plan activities and develop similar Earth Action Guardian Leadership Experiences (EAGLE) programs. Sixteen elementary, middle, and high…

Details the middle school implementation of an Academies of Inquiry and Talent Development enrichment program involving authentic-learning and real-life problem solving objectives. Considers start-up issues of orientation for students and parents, as well as teacher planning. Also considers issues of maintaining high standards, finding time for…

Describes the ways one middle school teacher works with students to develop the unique culture of the class. Considers the use of collaborative projects, and notes how the classroom functions as a setting for the developing social group in which experience is continuous and intertextual and communication is referential. (JPB)

This report describes the Lessons to Enhance Achievement and Develop Student Leaders (LEADS) program, designed to facilitate the leadership training of middle school students through the creation of a leadership program by teachers and administrators. Section I contains a brief introduction for teachers, and Section II outlines team building…

The document presents 35 supplementary activities on American politics. The activities are designed to be used by social studies classroom teachers in elementary and junior high schools. Topics include voting, elections, presidential qualifications, presidential activities, congressional duties, political participation, term of office, political…

Describes programs of the Close Up Foundation for young students. Discusses group projects developed for the Civic Achievement Award Program that emphasize community service and cooperative learning. Concludes with a description of plans to develop Close Up programs for the elementary grades. (CFR)

This handbook details 28 specific learning strategies for diverse groups of middle school students, each cast as a prescription applicable for students whose diagnosis reveals certain "conditions" such as particular learning styles or high or low reading skills. Reproducible pages accompany most of the strategies. Following are the activities: (1)…